Aerodynamic improvement for convertible car

ABSTRACT

This uncoverable vehicle is of the type including, at least, a windscreen ( 5 ), a sliding roof, and two front seats ( 3, 4 ); it also includes a wind deflector in the form of a panel ( 6 ) fitted with a front rim ( 7 ) and a rear rim ( 8 ), which panel ( 6 ) extends from the trailing edge of the windscreen ( 5 ), on the whole width thereof. The deflecting panel ( 6 ) is fitted, in its medial portion intended to be situated between both front seats ( 3, 4 ), with intrinsic elements ( 12 ) laid out to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space, in order to oppose the formation of turbulent recirculations.

The present invention concerns an aerodynamic improvement made touncoverable vehicles and in particular to the vehicles of theconvertible type, with a sliding roof in the form of a cape hood or aretractable rigid roof, intended for instance to be housed in the rearboot.

The passenger space of this type of vehicle is quite often prone toaerodynamic disturbances when said vehicle is running at high speed, andthe different means adopted to limit these disturbances sometimesproduce other shortcomings.

Thus, for instance, a solution used consists in installing protectionnets, situated at the rear of both foremost seats of the vehicle, toprovide a protection for the occupants of these front seats. Theshortcoming of this system lies in that it restricts significantly thevisibility to the rear; moreover, in a vehicle including two rows ofseats, the installation of this type of net seals off the seats arrangedat the rear.

The corresponding nets constitute an accessory which requires anintervention on the user's part for the placement thereof, andgenerally, limited usage since it only affects driving at very highspeed. Moreover, when these nets are in active position, they tend tomodify the aspect of the vehicle. Finally, as all the accessories, itshould also find its place in the vehicle to be stored thereincorrectly.

The documents EP-0895 889 and EP-0733 506 show that it is possible toinstall wind deflecting panels in the extension of the trailing edge ofthe windscreen. But these deflecting panels, adapted to deviate the airflux upwards, above the driver and the possible front passenger, doesnot enable to provide optimised results. In spite of their presence,there still persist turbulent recirculations inside the passenger spacewhich are source of discomfort for the occupiers of the vehicle.

The present invention provides an improvement to uncoverable vehicles,which enables to remedy the different shortcomings of the existingequipment; this improvement takes into account the aerodynamic phenomenaand in particular the phenomena associated with the movements of thevehicle in the air.

The vehicle according to the invention includes a deflecting panel whichextends from the trailing edge of the windscreen and which is fitted, inits medial or central portion intended to be situated between both frontseats, with intrinsic means laid out to deviate an air flux to theinside of the passenger space, in order to reduce, in the centralsection thereof, the turbulent air flux caused by the depression zonewhich lies behind the windscreen, when the vehicle runs at high or veryhigh speed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means enablingto deviate an air flux which flows on the passenger space are formed ofa type of scoop arranged in the medial portion of the deflecting panel.

According to a first possible embodiment, the scoop in question isarranged in the rear medial portion of the deflecting panel; preferablyit is in the form of a tiltable flap housed in a reservation arranged insaid deflecting panel.

The corresponding flap is advantageously articulated at the rear rim ofthe deflecting panel, and its leading edge lies preferably orthogonal tothe face of the driver.

Still according to the invention, the deflecting panel is fitted withappropriate means which enable to adjust and to hold the orientation ofthe flap forming a scoop, to enable to adjust the flowrate of thedeviated air flux to the inside of the passenger space.

According to an embodiment variation, the uncoverable vehicle includes adeflecting panel of telescopic type which is composed at least of twolateral strips fitted with means for interconnection with thewindscreen, and with a transversal panel associated with said lateralstrips by a rail-type arrangement, in order to vary at will thelongitudinal position of the inlet opening of the scoop.

According to another possible embodiment, the means to deviate the airflux to the inside of the vehicle are formed of a type of scoop in theform of a channel arranged on a portion at least of the length of thedeflecting panel, and whereof the axis extends perpendicular to thefront rim of said panel.

Preferably, the corresponding channel extends substantially over thewhole length of the deflecting panel. Its inlet opening liesadvantageously at the front rim of the deflecting panel, arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the plane P thereof; its outlet openinglies at the rear end of said deflecting panel, arranged in the plane Pof said panel, or slantwise between this plane P and the plane of theinlet opening.

According to another particularity, the inlet opening of this channelhas a greater section than the section of its outlet opening.

According to a particular embodiment, the deflecting panel is fittedwith means which enable the articulation of its front rim on thetrailing edge of the windscreen of the vehicle.

In another possible embodiment, the deflecting panel is fitted withmeans for interconnection with the windscreen of the vehicle, of rigidattachment type, which attachments correspond to the means forinterconnecting the sliding roof with the windscreen.

According to still another possible embodiment, the uncoverable vehicleincludes means which enable the articulation of the rear rim of thedeflecting panel on a loop interconnected with the windscreen. Accordingto this embodiment variation, the deflecting panel includes means whichenable the automatic rising thereof failing any roofing structure,associated with a stop for limiting the rising movement thereof. Theseautomatic rising means may consist of a system of recall spring(s) or ina simple air intake.

Still according to the invention, the distance between the trailing edgeof the windscreen and the rear rim of the deflecting panel rangesbetween 200 and 350 mm, according to the arrangement of the vehicle andits own aerodynamics, in particular the aerodynamics of its windscreen.

The invention also concerns the wind deflector for an uncoverablevehicle as defined above; this wind deflector is composed of adeflecting panel intended for extending over the whole width of thewindscreen, and it is fitted with intrinsic means enabling to deviatethe air flux to the inside of the passenger space in order to oppose theformation of turbulent recirculations.

According to the embodiment selected, this deflecting panel may beintegrated to the structure of the vehicle or consist of a simpleaccessory interconnected with the windscreen to suit the requirements.

But the invention will be better illustrated, without being limitedthereto, by the following description of several embodiments givensolely for exemplification purposes and represented on the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of un uncoverable vehicle of theconvertible type, fitted with a possible embodiment with a deflectingsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective top view, showing the arrangement ofthe deflecting system according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment variation of the deflecting systemaccording to the invention

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment variation ofa deflecting panel according to the invention, in perspective frombeneath;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view according to 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an uncoverable vehicle fitted withthe deflecting panel illustrated on FIGS. 4 and 5, this panel beingattached directly to the windscreen;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective top view, showing the arrangement ofthe deflecting system des FIGS. 4 to 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of another embodiment variation ofthe invention, comprising a deflecting panel according to FIGS. 4 and 5,articulated at its rear rim on a loop interconnected with the windscreenof the vehicle;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view, which shows the embodimentvariation of FIG. 8 with the deflecting panel en position active;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view, which shows the embodimentvariation of FIG. 8 with the deflecting panel in inactive position,covered by the sliding roof.

The vehicle 1, represented on FIGS. 1 and 2, is an uncoverable vehicleof the convertible type, with a sliding roof 2 and two front seats 3 and4. The sliding roof 2 is illustrated as a doted line solely on FIG. 1.This vehicle 1 is represented with a single row of seats, but it mayalso, indistinctly, contain two rows of seats, the seats arranged at therear being situated closer to or further apart from the front seats.

The windscreen 5 of this vehicle contains, at its trailing edge, adeflector 6 which forms a kind of extension of said windscreen towardsthe rear. This deflector 6 enables to guide the air flux and to protectthe driver, and possibly the front passenger, which is situated justbeneath.

The deflector 6 is in the form of a large transversal panel of plane Pof the sun-roof type, fitted with a front rim 7 and of a rear rim 8.This panel 6 extends crosswise over the whole width of the trailing edgeof the windscreen 5, and lengthwise over a few ten centimetres. Itsfront rim 7 is associated with the windscreen 5 by dint of anarticulation system 10. This articulation 10 enables to run thedeflector 6 of a retracted position, folded below the windscreen 5, atan active position, as represented on FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein it isplaced substantially horizontally, in the extension of said windscreen5.

The trailing edge 8 of the deflector 6 is extended rearwards, offeringefficient protection for the persons installed at the front of thevehicle.

This deflector 6 prolongs the windscreen and includes moreover means toreduce, let alone to suppress the aerodynamic disturbances in thepassenger space. These means are adapted to form a deviation of airflux, and this forced air flux is introduced in the central section ofthe passenger space, substantially between both front seats 3 and 4.

These deviating means of the air flux consist of a kind of scoop 12arranged here at the rear and central section of the deflecting panel 6.This scoop 12 is formed of an opening 13 arranged in the deflectingpanel 6, associated with a flap deflector 14.

This flap 14, which extends slantwise, upwards and to the front from therear end of the opening 13, enables to deviate an air flux and to directit inside the passenger space, to the centre towards the rear of theseats, as represented by the arrow 15 on FIG. 2.

The flap 14 may be articulated at the rear rim 8 of the deflecting panel6. Appropriate means, not represented, are provided between this flap 14forming a scoop 12 with the opening 13, and the deflecting panel 6, foradjusting and maintaining its orientation, in order to obtain theappropriate air flowrate.

This channelling of a portion of the air which flows on the vehicle, tothe centre of the passenger space, as represented on FIGS. 1 and 2,opposes the formation of turbulent fluid recirculations which aregenerated by the depression zone situated behind the windscreen 5.

To limit the space requirements of the deflecting system, in inactiveposition in particular, and to enable its adaptation to all types ofuncoverable vehicles, this deflecting system, as represented on FIG. 3,may be of the telescopic type.

The corresponding deflector 6 includes a transversal panel 16interconnected with the windscreen 5 by dint of lateral strips 17 whichextend longitudinally. These lateral strips 17 are articulated at thetrailing edge of the windscreen using axes of articulation 10.

The lateral strips 17 form an extension of the windscreen and alsochannel the air flux. The space between the trailing edge of thewindscreen and the upstream edge 7 of the panel 16 is relatively small,so as not to disturb the flow.

The flap 14 forming a scoop 12 with the opening 13 is positioned aspreviously at the trailing edge 8 of the panel 16. This flap 14 isarticulated on this trailing edge 8.

The panel 16 is associated with the lateral strips 17 by dint of anarrangement in the form of rails 18. These rails 18 enable to adjust thedistance of the trailing edge of the panel 16 with respect to thetrailing edge of the windscreen 5.

Generally, the distance between the trailing edge of the windscreen andthe trailing edge of the deflecting panel ranges advantageously between200 and 350 mm, according to the type of vehicle and its aerodynamics,and in particular the aerodynamics of the windscreen.

The leading edge 19 of the flap 14 of the scoop 12 lies generallysubstantially orthogonal to the face of the driver of the vehicle, forefficient channelling of the air flux to the central section of thepassenger space, between the front seats 3 and 4, at the rear sectionthereof.

This position of the leading edge 19 of the flap 14 is adjustable in thecase of the telescopic deflector represented on FIG. 3, in order to suitthe driver's position.

FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate another embodiment variation of the deflectingsystem according to the invention.

As can be seen on FIGS. 4 and 5, this wind deflector is in the form of apanel 6′ of plane P, with a front rim 7 substantially rectilinear and arear rim 8 generally vaulted which confers thereto a length slightlygreater in the centre with respect to the sides.

On the sides of the front rim 7, anchoring means may be found,represented schematically in 20, intended for hooking on thecomplementary anchoring means laid out on the windscreen of the vehicle,to attach of the deflecting panel 6′ in the extension the trailing edgeof said windscreen. These anchoring means 20 are preferably adapted forrigid interconnection between the panel 6′ and the windscreen 5; theycorrespond advantageously to the anchoring means of the sliding roof onsaid windscreen.

On its median axis 22, the panel 6′ includes the means in the form ofscoop 12 which enable to channel an air flux to the centre and to therear of the passenger space of the vehicle thus equipped.

The scoop 12 is here composed of a channel or of a kind of tunnel 24centred on the median axis 22 of the panel 6′; this channel 24 extendsperpendicular to the front rim 7 of the deflecting panel, and it extendsover the whole length of this panel.

The inlet opening 25 of the channel 24 lies at the front rim 7 of thepanel 6′; this inlet opening 25 is flattened and lies in a plane P′which is substantially perpendicular to the plane P of the deflectingpanel 6′. The outlet opening 26 of the channel 24 lies on the rear rim 8side of the panel 6′. This outlet opening 26 is also flattened and itextends in a slant plane P″, comprised between the plane P of the panel6′ and the perpendicular plane P′ of the inlet opening 25.

The section of the inlet opening 25 is greater than the section of theoutlet opening 26, and the vault of the channel 24 is arrangedslantwise, or has a slightly vaulted shape in the direction of itslongitudinal axis, to direct at best the air flux downwards, inassociation with the orientation of the outlet opening 26.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the deflecting panel 6′ of FIGS. 4 and 5 inposition, in the extension of the trailing edge of the windscreen 5 of avehicle 1.

The greater section or the whole of the inlet opening 25 of the scoop 12lies just above the trailing edge of the windscreen 5 and the outletopening 26 lies between both front seats, above the heads of the frontpassengers.

This deflecting panel 6′ may be realised by moulding a plastic materialor resin. It is used as a removable accessory, mounted relative torequirements after opening the removable roof.

FIGS. 8 to 10 still show an embodiment variation of the invention, witha deflecting panel 6′ identical or similar to that illustrated inrelation with FIGS. 4 to 7, but attached here by its rear rim on a loop28 interconnected with the windscreen 5.

The ends of the loop 28 may be attached permanently on the stanchions oron the upper crossbeam of the windscreen, and the form of this loop isadapted to that of the deflecting panel 6′ so that the front rim thereofcomes close to the trailing edge of the windscreen.

The rear rim 8 of the panel 6′ is interconnected with the loop 28 bydint of an articulation 30, and its front rim is carried by anyappropriate means to enable the retraction thereof under the trailingedge of the windscreen when it is not desired to use deflector means,and to enable the extraction thereof or the projection thereof abovesaid windscreen to activate the deflecting system.

The position active of the deflecting panel 6′ is illustrated on FIG. 9,and its inactive position is represented on FIG. 10. On this FIG. 10,the deflecting panel 6′ is covered with the sliding roof 2 of thevehicle.

The front section of the deflecting panel 6′ may lie on the structure ofthe vehicle in inactive position, and this front section may be raisedto adopt an active position, when the roof of the vehicle is removed.This raising may for instance be realised by dint of an air intakesystem, when the vehicle runs faster than a certain speed, or still byan appropriate system of recall spring(s).

A stop system, for instance in the form of a hook 32, may be used tolimit the rising of the front section of the deflecting panel 6′, inorder to adjust precisely its active position.

1. An uncoverable vehicle including, at least, a windscreen (5), asliding roof (2) and two front seats (3, 4), which vehicle also includesa wind deflector in the form of a panel (6, 6′) fitted with a front rim(7) and with a rear rim (8), which deflecting panel (6, 6′) extends fromthe trailing edge of said windscreen (5), on the whole width thereof,characterised in that said deflecting panel (6, 6′) is fitted, in itsmedial portion intended to be situated between both front seats (3, 4),with intrinsic means (12) laid out to deviate an air flux to the insideof the passenger space, in order to oppose the formation of turbulentrecirculations.
 2. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1,characterised in that the means enabling to deviate an air flux to theinside of the passenger space are formed of a type of scoop (12)arranged in the medial portion of the deflecting panel (6, 6′).
 3. Anuncoverable vehicle according to claim 2, characterised in that themeans enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passengerspace are formed of a type of scoop (12) arranged in the rear medialportion of the deflecting panel (6).
 4. An uncoverable vehicle accordingto claim 2, characterised in that the means enabling to deviate an airflux to the inside of the passenger space are formed of a type of scoop(12) in the form of a tiltable flap (14) housed in a reservation (13)arranged in the deflecting panel (6).
 5. An uncoverable vehicleaccording to claim 4, characterised in that the flap (14) is articulatedat the rear rim (8) of the deflecting panel (6).
 6. An uncoverablevehicle according to claim 4, characterised in that the leading edge(19) of the flap (14) lies substantially orthogonal to the face of thedriver.
 7. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 4, characterised inthat it includes a deflecting panel (6) fitted with appropriate meansenabling to adjust and to hold the articulation of the flap (14) forminga scoop (12) to maximise the flowrate of the deviated air flux.
 8. Anuncoverable vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that itincludes a deflecting panel (6) of telescopic type, composed at least oftwo lateral strips (17) including means (10) for interconnection withthe windscreen (5), and a transversal panel (16) associated with saidlateral strips (17) by a rail-type arrangement (18), in order to vary atwill the longitudinal position of the scoop (12).
 9. An uncoverablevehicle according to claim 2, characterised in that the means to deviatean air flux to the inside of the vehicle are composed of a type of scoop(12) in the form of a channel (24) arranged on a portion at least of thelength of the deflecting panel (6′) and whereof the axis (22) extendsperpendicular to the front rim (7) of said panel (6′).
 10. Anuncoverable vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that itincludes a deflecting panel (6′) fitted with a channel (24) whichextends substantially on its whole length.
 11. An uncoverable vehicleaccording to claim 10, characterised in that it includes a deflectingpanel (6′) fitted with a channel (24) whereof the inlet opening (25)lies at its front rim (7), arranged substantially perpendicular to itsplane P, and whereof the outlet opening (26) lies at its rear end (8),arranged in the plane P of said panel (6′) or slantwise between thisplane P and the plane of the inlet opening (25).
 12. An uncoverablevehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that it includes adeflecting panel (6′) fitted with a channel (24) whereof the inletopening (25) has a greater section than the section of the outletopening (26).
 13. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1,characterised in that it includes a deflecting panel (6) fitted withmeans (10) which enable the articulation of its front rim (7) on thetrailing edge of the windscreen (5).
 14. An uncoverable vehicleaccording to claim 1, characterised in that it includes a deflectingpanel (6′) fitted with means (20) for interconnection with thewindscreen (5), of rigid attachment type, which attachments (20)correspond to the attachments of the sliding roof (2) on said windscreen(5).
 15. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1, characterised inthat it includes means which enable the articulation of the rear rim (8)of the deflecting panel (6′) on a loop (28) interconnected with thewindscreen (5).
 16. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 15,characterised in that it includes a deflecting panel (6′) fitted withmeans which enable the automatic rising thereof failing any roofingstructure (2), associated with a stop (32) for limiting the risingmovement thereof.
 17. An uncoverable vehicle according to claim 1,characterised in that the distance measured between the trailing edge ofthe windscreen (5) and the rear rim of the deflecting panel (6, 6′)ranges between 200 and 350 mm, according to its aerodynamics and inparticular that of its windscreen (5).
 18. A wind deflector for anuncoverable vehicle according to claim 1, composed of a deflecting panel(6, 6′) intended for extending on the whole width of the windscreen (5),which deflecting panel (6, 6′) is fitted with intrinsic means (12)enabling to deviate an air flux to the inside of the passenger space, inorder to oppose the formation of turbulent recirculations.